Microgrids for decentralized generation and solar roof-top system design
Student name: Mr Tushar Saxena
Guide: Dr V V N Kishore
Year of completion: 2013
Host Organisation: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Parimita Mohanty
Abstract: Energy forms a vital input and critical infrastructure for the economic development of the countries
and for improving the quality of life of people. Energy is utilized in society through the operation of
large socio-technical systems called energy systems. In a growing world, as the focus shifts to better
access and use of modern energy sources, there is a rising demand for energy. However, certain
externalities result in this demand not being met adequately, especially in developing countries like
India. This constitutes the energy demand – supply matching problem.
Load shedding is a response used by distribution utilities in developing countries, to deal with the
energy demand – supply problem in the short term and to secure the grid. This response impacts the
activities of consumers and entails economic losses. Traditionally demand – supply matching has
been carried out by increasing supply centrally in the long term or reducing demand centrally in the
short term. Literature shows that these options have not been very effective in solving the demandsupply
problem.
Gaps in literature, also shows that the need of the hour is the design of alternate solutions which are
tailored to the consumer’s specific energy service needs in a sustainable way. Microgrids using
renewable and clean energy resources and demand side management can be suitable decentralized
alternatives to augment the centralized grid based systems and enable demand- supply matching at the
consumer level.
The future of the solar off-grid systems majorly depends on the solar roof-top system. With time,
gradually it has start becoming, need of the hour. It serves many purposes locally as well as globally,
like meeting energy demand locally and increasing the level of energy, thus strengthening the energy
security of the nation. For residential purpose, an excel calculator is made which is capable of
calculating technical and financial aspects of any solar roof-top system. Besides that, the solar rooftop
system is designed for the TERI University. The design includes the calculation of installable capacity
of the plant on the available rooftop. It also includes the technical and financial parameters for the
same.
